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tolsunflowerboi · 7 months

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MadaTobi Week 2023

DAY 2 - Teahouse/Teacher

One Lump Or Two - Find it on AO3 here!

Madara was on a mission. Madara was on an important mission and he will not get distracted. Not by the stage full of musicians and dancing performed by a handful of hosts at the far end of the room. Not by the sweet tasting alcohol being plied to every person who had a few spare coins to spend. And not by the quiet and pretty looking maiko who was currently serving tea at the table he was meant to be eavesdropping on.

(The maiko was very pretty, with pale, jade-like skin and locks of silky white hair twisted into a simple but flattering style. Madara could see their long pale fingers as they peeked out of their sleeves when pouring the tea, before their hands returned to their lap. Maybe if he used his sharingan he could… No. He would not get distracted.)

Pulling his eyes away from the distracting maiko, he let his gaze drift around the rest of the room, taking in the other patrons. Madara was certain he wasn’t the only one staking out these particular targets; according to the Uchiha’s informants, the three men were journeying back from the capital after several meetings with the new Daimyo. They would be fools not to try and gain any information about the new Daimyo before their first summit at the Capitol.

He was pretty confident that the two people at one of the front tables were Nara, based purely on the fact that one was face down on the table, seemingly asleep, and the other didn’t look too far behind. There was also a blonde dancer that passed frequently by their table that looked vaguely like a Yamanka. Madara couldn’t pinpoint an Akimichi; but where two of those Clans were, the third was never far behind.

“May this one offer her guest more sake?” An older Maiko held a bottle, tipped invitingly, near his table, but Madara shook his head; the sweet flavour was nice but a bit too sickly for his taste.

“This one can fetch an alternate flavour if her guest desires, or,” the Maiko tilted her head, drawing his eyes and bringing the other distracting Maiko back into view, “This one can arrange for a tea service if that would be preferable.”

Madara twitched, catching the teasing smile on the Maiko’s face and felt himself flush. Apparently his, ah, appreciation, of the younger Maiko had not gone unnoticed.

“Wh- I don’t- I…” He cut himself off, taking a deep breath to calm himself, while the Maiko giggled quietly beside him. Collecting himself, Madara nodded to the Maiko, “I’ll consider the offer but I’m content as I am for now, thank you.” Nodding in acceptance, the Maiko smiled and moved to another table, leaving him to focus back on his targets.

(The younger Maiko had disappeared, the table’s tea service obviously complete, and Madara tried not to feel disappointed. Maybe he could come back after his mission was finished and request a tea service for himself?)

Scolding himself for getting distracted again, Madara idly passed the time by watching the others around him, filing away the tidbits of information let slip by the increasingly loose-lipped nobles.

There was a group of young men near the stage drinking enough alcohol that you could barely see their table under all the bottles. (The new Daimyo already had ties with the Land of Iron through his first wife.)

The most-likely-a-Yamanka dancer had shifted their attention to a haughty looking pair a few tables over from the suspected Nara. Judging by the pair's long hair bangs, they were likely Hyuga; which made their stiff backed disdain for the blondes needling all the more entertaining. (There was talk of raising taxes on all imports and exports from the Capitol.)

His the Maiko was making their way over to his table with a tray of tea and settling down beside him, close enough that he could make out the pale eyelashes brushing the top of their cheeks when they blinked. (The Daimyo was offering more backing and money to the samurai, outsourcing more missions to them.)

There was a scuffle at the rear by the kitchen between some - wait WHAT?

Madara jerked his head round, staring wide eyed as the pretty Maiko prepared the cups of tea in front of them. “Wait I-” He stopped, clearing his throat and trying again, “I apologise, but I didn’t order tea, I think you’ve come to the wrong table.” As much as he wanted them to stay, Madara also didn’t want them to get in trouble with other customers for missing their orders.

(The Maiko was even prettier up close, their beauty highlighted by their makeup; a light blush over their cheeks and their bottom lip an eye catching red. Their robes were flattering; the material tucked and layered to emphasise their slim waist, while the long, wide sleeves made their hands seem dainty and delicate.)

“This one’s guest is correct, however this one’s older sister insisted on this service, paid for by the house of course, for the enjoyment of the guest.” His Maiko’s voice was lower than expected, but fitting in a way he couldn’t describe. He flicked his eyes up while the other poured his drink, catching sight of the older Maiko who had been by his side earlier in the night standing across the room. She gave him a small smile and pointed look, dipping her head towards the younger Maiko at his side.

(Any thoughts about the drunk nobles ceased to exist; he’d picked up plenty of information and the three drunkards were basically unconscious at their table. Surely it wouldn’t hurt to indulge in some time with his Maiko if they were offering, right?)

Nodding in acknowledgment, Madara reached out to pick up his tea, “Of course I will gladly accept such a gift, but please, join me in drinking, there’s certainly enough tea for both of us.” And there was, the older Maiko had obviously prepared enough for two before sending the younger over, something Madara would have to remember to thank her for before leaving.

Ruby eyes blinked at him, the colour stark against pale skin and snowy lashes, before dropping back down to the table. “If that is what you wish, then this one would be happy to provide company.” His Maiko picked up the second cup, cradling it between their hands before they sipped at it, humming slightly as they did so. Madara took note of their enjoyment; obviously jasmine was a favourite of theirs.

(He wondered if it was just tea, or if jasmine was a favourite across other things as well. Some well made incense or maybe something sweet like mochi?)

(Madara definitely needed to thank the older Maiko; she’d picked the tea after all, and obviously she knew it was one favoured by the younger Maiko.)

They made idle conversation as the night went on, Madara learning various things about the other as they drank. His Maiko had siblings outside of the teahouse; both older than them, though one was technically a cousin. His Maiko enjoyed learning new things; they had an extensive book collection that they added to every time they had the chance, about any topic that captured their fancy. Madara revealed his love of spicy things, which coaxed the admittance of fish and sweet things being his Maiko’s favourite flavours.

(He’d managed to capture a few seconds with his Sharingan, while his Maiko was enjoying their tea; eyes half shut and a small smile on their face. It wasn’t exactly a smart thing to do but, well. Having a lovely memory like this that he could recall perfectly whenever he wanted was a very tempting thing.)

Eventually, once the tea was finished and the lanterns had started to burn out, Madara bid his goodbyes to his Maiko, offering some extra coins to the elder as he slipped outside. Both for her help; he could admit that he likely wouldn’t have ask for his Maiko to serve him if she hadn’t nudged things along, and also for taking up the rest of his Maiko’s night; they wouldn’t have earned as much as they could have by staying with him, so offering the difference was the least he could do.

He’d try and come back, he decided, after his next mission. Maybe bring some sweets with him as a gift? Or look through some of the merchant stalls for interesting books? He doubted his Maiko had as many options to browse through as Madara did - his missions took him through the various neighbouring countries afterall. He was sure he could find something interesting in Lightning or Wind Country.

(He couldn’t have known that he’d never get the chance. He’d taken up the mantle of Clan Head earlier than he’d thought he would; devastating the free time he had away from the Clan and their territories. By the time he’d made it back, his Maiko was gone.)

Madara sat stiff-backed at the table, face hard and serious as he watched the Senju opposite him. He could feel Izuna fidget slightly at his side, his own rival sat opposing him as well. Peace talks were going…steady. There were still arguments about specifics; back and forths that neither side wanted to concede. But that was good. The Clan would have been much more suspicious if there weren’t some clashing with the Senju over things. He would have been a lot more suspicious.

Even so, tensions were higher at this meeting than others. It was the first meeting with both the Clan Heads and their Heirs; meaning it was the first meeting the Uchiha had with the White Demon attending, Senju Tobirama.

Picking up his cup, Madara went to take the customary drink to open the meeting, watching Izuna, and both Senju, do the same. The tea was jasmine, a change from the green tea Hashirama had picked last time it was his turn to host. Ready to move things along, Madara started to lower his cup when he heard it; a small, pleased humming from across the table. Snapping his head up, he locked eyes on Tobirama, watching him sip his tea with an expression he knew. He remembered that expression, even after 10 years his Sharingan could recall it with perfect clarity. The hair, the eyes. The pale skin and the way he drank his tea. He couldn’t believe it!

“SENJU TOBIRAMA! YOU’RE MY MAIKO?”

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#tobirama senju #uchiha madara #tobirama x madara #naruto #day 2 teahouse/teacher #madatobiweek2023 #madatobi #it's a little late but it's still good yeah #still good #my writing #also found on ao3!#fanfiction #ao3 fanfic #ao3

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